This is the 33rd consecutive exchange of such lists between the two countries
India and Pakistan have exchanged lists of nuclear installations that cannot be attacked in the event of hostilities. This exchange on Monday (January 1, 2024) is in keeping with a tradition dating back to 1992.

The lists, exchanged through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, includes nuclear installations and facilities, covered under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between India and Pakistan, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

The Agreement, which was signed on 31 December 1988 and entered into force on 27 January 1991 provides, inter alia, that India and Pakistan inform each other of the nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the Agreement on the first of January of every calendar year, the MEA added.

This is the 33rd consecutive exchange of such lists between the two countries; the first one took place on January 1, 1992.

This exchange of lists comes even as ties between India and Pakistan ties continue to remain strained due to Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir. 

The two sides have not held formal takes since the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in 2008 which was carried out by Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). India has since been demanding that LeT leaders who planned the attacks should be brought to justice.